Portable shelters



May 20, 1958 R. c. COLLINS PORTABLE sHELTERs Filed Aug. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1o FIGL 17 12 .L mmf@ EC .O V. T mC T nM A May 20 1958 R. c. coLLlNs 2,835,262

PORTABLE sHELTERs Filed Aug. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 176 14a 77 776 4 F1G.4 fe A f INVENTOR'. ROBERT C. COLL/Ns za QZ- v.

ATTORNEY nite States Patent the PoRTABLE sHELTERs Robert C. Collins, Waukesha, Wis. Applicaties August 26, 1954, serial No. 452,331

2 Claims. (cl. 13s- 3) The present invention relates to portable shelter structures.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved portable shelter of simple, durable, light-weight and inexpensive construction, and of neat appearance, adapted for use as a carport, tent, vending stand, and the like.

Another object is to provide a portable shelter having a frame of sectional` construction which can easily be assembled and dismantled, and which when taken down is capable of being compactly packed, as for storage in an automobile trunk.

A further object is to provide a sectional frame construction which can be assembled to form shelter frames of various sizes.

A still further object is to provide a sectional shelter frame including improved connector fittings for bar elements of the frame.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating certain embodiments of the invention,

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a portable shelter constructed in accordance with the invention and adapted to form a carport or garage, parts of a canopy or cover thereof being broken away;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the shelter, the canopy thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the shelter frame, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of the shelter frame, taken generally on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of shelter of reduced length, parts of the canopy being broken away, and

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of another modified form of shelter of increased length, parts of the canopy being broken away.

Referring to the form of portable shelter shown in Figs. l to 4 of the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a shelter frame assembly, and 11 designates a flexible cover or canopy supported thereon. The frame assembly or framework comprises a roof frame 12 supported by a pair of leg frames 13, each frame being of sectional construction. The roof frame includes a horizontal ridge bar or center rail 14 and a pair of horizontal sidebars or eave rails 1S parallel thereto, the ridge bar and side bars being connected as hereinafter described by rafter bars or rails 16. The ridge bar 14 is formed of a plurality of endwise aligned tubular bar sections 14a, such as of thin-wall steel tubing, and each side bar 15 is formed of similar endwise aligned tubular bar sections 15a which are preferably of larger diameter than the ridge bar sections. Each rafter bar 16 is formed of a single tubular bar section identical with the ridge bar sections. All of the tubular bar sections 14a, 15a, and 16 are of the same length.

The aligned ridge bar sections 14a are joined by cross- Patented" May 2o, 195s shaped connector fittings 17 each formed of a horizontal metal tube `or sleeve 17a with `inclined tubular side sockets 17b welded thereto, the branches of each fitting being each provided in their side walls with one or more socket set-screws 18, such as Allen socket head screws. The adjacent ends of the ridge bar sections slidably' fit in the sleeves 17a of the connector fittings 17 and` are firmiy but detachably secured therein by the associated set-screws 18. The opposite ends of the sectional ridge bar are joined to T-shaped connector fittings 19 each including a horizontal socket tube 19a welded to the middle portion of an angularly bent socket tube 19b, the branches of each fitting 19 being each provided in their side walls with one or more set-screws 18. The tubes or sleeves 19a of the connectorl fittings 19 slidably receive the ends of the ridge bar which are detachably secured therein by the associated set-screws.

The aligned bar sections 15a of each side bar 15 are joined by T-shaped connector fittings 20 each formed by a horizontal metal tube or sleeve 20a having a tubular side socket 20b welded thereto, and the opposite ends of each sectional side bar are joined toL-shaped connector fittings 21 each formed by socket tubes 21a and 2lb welded together, the outer end of each tube 21a being closed by a plug 22. The branches of the connector fittings 20 and 21 are each provided with one or more set-screws 1d. The socket tubes or sleeves 20a of the fittings 20 slidably receive the adjacent ends of the side bar sections which are detachably secured therein by the associated set-screws, and the socket tubes 21a of the fittings 21 slidably receive the outer ends of the side bars which are detachably secured therein by the associated set-screws.

The upper ends of the tubular rafter bars 16 slidably fit in the sockets 1712 and 19b of the ridge bar connector fittings 17 and 19, and the lower ends of the rafter bars slidably tit in the sockets 20b and 2lb ofthe side bar connector fittings 20 and 21, the rafter bar ends being detachably secured in place by the associated set-screws 18.

Each leg frame 13 includes an upper cross 4bar or Ibeam 23 and a pair of legs or posts 24 at opposite end portions of the cross bar. Each cross bar is formed of a pair of aligned tubular bar sections 23u which are identical with the side bar sections 15a and are detachably joined by a connector fitting 25 in the form of a coupling sleeve provided with set-screws 18, the adjacent ends of the cross bar sections -slidably fitting in the sleeve. The outer ends of the cross bar sections 23a are joined to the legs 24 and to the side bars 15 of the roof frame by connector .fittings 26. Each connector fitting 26 comprises a horizontal socket tube 26a, a horizontal end tube or sleeve 2612 welded transversely to the outer end of the tube 26a, and a downwardlyand angularly extending leg socket tube 26C welded to the inner end portion of the tube 26a, each branch of the fitting 26 being provided with one or more `set-screws 18. The

youter ends of the cross bar sections 23a slidably fit in the socket tubes 26a of the respective connector fittings 26 and are detachably secured therein by the associated set-screws. Each leg or post 24 comprises telescopically fitting upper and lower bar sections 24a and'24b. Each upper leg section 24a, which is identical with the side bar sections 15a and cross bar sections 23a, has an up per end portion slidably tting in the leg socket 26C and detachably secured thereto by the associated set-screw 18. The lower end portion of each upper leg section 24a is seated in the tubular lower section 24h and is detachably secured thereto by a setscrew 18, the lower eX- tremity of the leg section 24h resting on a cross bolt 27 secured to the lower leg section. A ground-engaging base plate 28 is welded to the lower end of the leg secaasaaea J tion `2417 and has openings 29 adapted to receive one or more headed anchor pegs or stakes 30 which are driven into the ground.

The horizontal sleeves 26h of the leg frame connector fittings 26 have a slidable t on the parallel side bars 15 of the roofvframe and are detachably secured thereto in selected positions therealong by the associated set- Yscrews 18. The slidable sleeves 2Gb at the opposite ends of the :leg frames can be shifted along the roof frame side bars when the set-screws 1S are loosened. The horizontal cross bars 23 and attached connector iittings 26 of the lleg frames form cross beams tying together the opposite side bars 15 of the roof frame. The four inclined supporting legs 24 are downwardly divergent, thus providing a lirm footing for the shelter frame.

The longest members of the shelter frame are the Atubular bar sections 14a, 15a, 1 6, 23a, and 24a. These -bar sections are all cut to the same length, preferably about 4 feet 8 inches, -so that vthey may be stored in an automobile trunk together with the other parts of the frame. By way of example the tubular bar sections 14a and `16 may be about l inch in diameter, and the tubular bar sections 15a, 23a and 24a may be about 11/2 inches in diameter. The bar sections and connectors are preferably made of thin-wall steel tubing, but in some cases they may be made of lighter metals, such as aluminum or magnesium alloys.

The roof frame supports thereon the v flexible cover o1` canopy 11 which is formed of vsuitable material such as canvas. The cover is detachably secured to the side bars 15 and end rafter `bars `16 as by tie cords 31 laced to depending grommeted flaps 32 which are sewn to the inner sides of the cover and embrace `these bars. The cover may bearranged in various ways and is here shown to include an ornamental valance 33 and a roll-up canvas wall panel 34. If desired, additional similar wall panels may be provided at other sides.

Inerecting the shelter structure, the roof frame 12 is assembled in inverted position together with the cross bars 23 and connector fittings 26 of the leg frames. The two legs for one side of the structure are then attached to the associated fittings and the structure is then righted, whereupon lthe other two legs are attached.' The cover or canopy 11 is fitted over the roof frame and is lashed to the marginal bars of this frame. If the structure rests on uneven ground, one or more of the upper leg sections 24a are `slidably yadjusted in the sockets 26C lof the connector fittings 2,6, or in the lower .leg sections 24k.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, the shelter is adapted to form a carport or garage for an automobile A which can be driven in or out vat veither end of the shelter. The supporting legs of the shelter are spaced well apart so as not to interfere with the travel of the automobile and the opening of the automobile doors. The shelter may also be used as a tent, vending stand, boathouse, beachhouse, and the like.

In dismantling Vthe knockdown shelter, the cover or canopy is removed from the roof trarne, and the various frame members are separated after loosening the setscrews 18. The frame members, together with the cover, are then collected in a compact bundle which can `be accommodated in an automobile trunk.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the shelter frame assembly 110 and canopy 111 are reduced in length to two bar sections, some of the roof frame members being omitted, and the two leg frames 13 being moved closer to the ends of the roof frame '112. The structure of Fig. '5 is otherwise the same as that of Fig. l. A similar shelter three bar sections in length may also be provided.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6, the shelter frame assembly 210 and canopy 211 are increased in length to six bar sections, additional roof frame members being provided to form laroof frame 212, and four leg frames 13 being used. The structure of Fig. 6 is otherwise similar to that of Fig. l.

I claim:

l. In a portable shelter frame structure, a roof frame including a ridge bar and parallel side bars and rafter bars connecting said ridge bar and side bars, said ridge bar and side bars each comprising a plurality of aligned tubular bar sections, connector ttings detachably joining `the bar sections of the ridge bar ,and side bars and detachably joining the rafter bars to said ridge bar and side bars, a plurality yof spaced cross beams connecting said `side bars, each cross beam including a pair of aligned, detachably connected tubular bar sections and further including detachably connected terminal connector fittings, said last-named littings each including a horizontal lsleeve-and a downwardly projecting leg socket, said sleeves lbeing open at both `ends and slidably receiving said side bars therethrough in detachably secured relation, the ends of said roof frame side bars projecting fromsaid sleeves, and supporting legs detachably secured to said leg sockets, each `cross beam and connected supporting legs forming a leg frame shiftable to selected positions along saidvside bars.

2. In a portable shelter frametstructure, a roof frame including a ridge bar and parallel side bars and rafter bars connecting said ridge bar and side bars, said ridge bar and side bars eachcomprising a plurality of aligned tubular bar sections, connector ttings detachably joining the bar sections of the ridge bar and side bars and de tachably joining the rafter bars to said ridge bar and side bars, ,a plurality of spaced cross beams connecting said side bars, each cross beam including a pair of aligned, detachably connected tubular bar sections and further including detachably connected terminal connector ttings, said last-named ttings each including a horizontal sleeve and a downwardly projecting leg socket, said sleeves being open rat both ends `and receiving said side bars therethrough in detachably secured relation, the ends of said roof frame side bars projecting from said sleeves, and supporting legs ,detachably secured to said leg sockets, said ridge barsections, side bar sections, rafter bars, and cross `beam sections being all of substantially the same length, each cross beam and connected supporting legs forming a `leg `frame shiftable to selected positions along said side bars.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,150,764 Hocking Aug. 17, 1915 1,856,658 Rumrnler May 3, 1,932 2,144,747 Adams Jan. 24, l1939 2,151,908 Gottlieb Mar. 28, 1939 2,182,283 Curtis Dec. 5, 1939 

